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Essie Pfau | 7 years ago
I Am Getting An 8mo Old Boxer. Currently, She Is Eating From An Elevated Food…

I am getting an 8mo old boxer. Currently, she is eating from an elevated food bowl. I’m planning to have her eat from a bowl on the ground when I get her as I’ve heard elevated food bowls can increase the risk of bloat. I’ve seen conflicting opinions and research…which is better?

1 Response

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  1. Krista Magnifico

    I have never heard of an elevated bowl causing bloat. I have however recommended lots of dogs use an elevated bowl if I am concerned about megaesophogus.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Hello, I Am Writing Because I’m Really Desperate At This Point. My Dog Hasn’t Been…

Hello, I am writing because I’m really desperate at this point. My dog hasn’t been feeling good for a few days now (nearing a week now) she had been steadily losing her appetite and vomiting/trying to vomit. I was really concerned and took her to the vet 3 days ago. He told me that physically she looked fine and asked me if I’d be ok with a full blood work (because it would cost) I told him that that was the least of my concerns and that he was free to take blood and check her for everything he was afraid she might suffer from. After the vet drew blood I noticed my dog started limping so I called him.again and he came straight back to check on her again he checked her leg and it was completely fine her nerves were responding, he muscles were also ok and when he checked the movements of her leg everything was fine too but she was still limping so he started checking her spinal cord and when he reached a certain point my dog jumped and turned around to try and bite him that was how intense her pain was.

Her blood work came back completely fine and he told me that her organs seemed to be in perfect condition too. So he started administering 2 injections one antibiotic and one for pain relief. My dog was back to normal again and the limping has gone away completely but she steadily goes back to feeling weak and depressed until she takes the shots again. She stopped vomiting but today she started again. My vet instructed me to withhold food and just offer a small amount of water and I should check if she still vomits today. Unfortunately, where I live I don’t have the option of taking her to second vet for a second opinion on the matter so I decided to post here for help or at the very least ask someone here if these symptoms remind them.of something specific. The vomit was phlegm like white sometimes she throws up the water she just had after that she started vomiting anything I tried feeding her followed by a yellow substance today I found a dried brown like substance that scared me because I thought she might have thrown up blood?! But after I found that she vomited again and it was mostly water again so I figured if it was blood she would have thrown up blood again? She hasn’t gone to the bathroom for a few days (which is ok I guess since she hasn’t been eating much) but when she did go two days ago her feces we’re very soft and a few days before all these I noticed there was also mucus in some of her feces. She’s a pitbull mix and she is family to me I love her so much and I hated seeing her suffer and me being unable to do anything about it… The vet has recommended some pills as well because he suspects an intestinal or stomach parasite but my dog is way too clever as I’ve tried everything hiding in into food which she refused to take, tried putting it into sausages which she found again and proceeded to take the sausage out on the floor and eating it from the floor little by little around the pill, I’ve tried peanut butter which she outright refused and I even tried opening her mouth and putting the pills inside which she coughed out again and now when I try to open her mouth she keeps it tightly shut. Please help me if you can does anything ring a bell? Do these symptoms remind you of a case you might have encountered? Will my dog be ok?

4 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    I’m so sorry about your dog. I would call the vet again- first thing this morning. I would go through every single detail with him/her. Get another appointment- for today if possible. Try to brainstorm together in case you may have missed anything along the way. Is there a chance your dog got out and may have sustained an injury that you are unaware of? When exactly did the symptoms start? What was happening up to the point the symptoms started as best you can remember? Everything you can think of. If there is more than one vet at your office, see if they can brainstorm together about possible ideas. I hope everything works out ok.

  2. Zoi Lytou

    That’s what my vet has suggested but everything seemed ok and normal the first day she refused to eat I thought it was due to the heat wave that we experienced here a few days ago she was drinking lots of water which I also attributed to the heat. The next day I tried feeding her later at night when the temperature was much lower she still refused to eat but she still drank water perfectly fine. So I figured if she continues with not eating the next day I’d take her to the vet which she did and I also found white dried throw up resembling dried foam and noticed she would try to vomit to no avail I was immediately scared it might be bloating and rushed her to the vet.

    He gave her a physical there and found everything to be normal and asked me about the blood work and whether I’d be ok if he checked everything from a general blood work to see how her liver works even her brain as I said before I urged him to look for and check anything he was suspecting just make sure. After the blood drawn she started limping which buffled me and asked him to come see her he rushed back checked her leg her nerves were responding, her muscles were fine and all the movements of the leg were ok she only jumped when he check a certain place of her spinal cord. He left again and then my dog went from limping to a complete and utter disinterest about her surroundings and even when we tried getting her excited she would not stand she’d just lay there wagging her tail and not being able to put weight on her hind legs to stand up. I called the vet immediately and he came back again and saw the state she was in and immediately administered an antibiotic and a pain relief shot almost instantly she stood up (the limping is completely gone now too) and my vet told me to check on her regularly through the night and provide her with plenty of water and try feeding her 100 grams every 3-4 hours. She started eating and ate almost 300 grams and stopped throwing up. Then the blood work results came back everything was clear and her organs seems fine too. My vet also suspected pyometra but ruled it out because there was no increase in white blood cells present also no vaginal discharge and my dog is peeing fine and the color is normal meaning yellow. So he continued with the two shots the next day as well and then she threw up again! So yesterday in addition to those two injections he gave her a shot filled with vitamins to boost her immune system and also help her get those vitamins since she’s not eating right now. He instructed me to withhold food and just offer 250ml of water every 3-4 hours and monitor her to see if she throws up again. Which she hasn’t so far.

    Because he also suspects an intestinal or stomach parasite he gave me a strong dewormer to give her but as mentioned before I’ve tried everything! But she’s just too clever and always finds the pill and knows when we’re trying to give her the pills. So the vet told me she HAS to take them so he’ll be giving her the dewormer via an injection as well. He is the only vet in town (I don’t live in a big city) and what’s worse he told me he HAS to attend a seminar and won’t be back in town till Monday but an assistant will be giving Zira (my dog) her shots.

    As far as injuries are concerned I only found a splinter at the back of her leg like a week ago I think when I saw her limping I removed the splinter washed the little wound there then put betadine ( disinfectant) on it and then Fucicort Lipid (antibacterial cream). I did that for three days and she was fine and the wound is completely gone now too.

  3. Zoi Lytou

    Now it’s become even worse she threw up blood and blood clots my vet suspects an ulcer due to the injections she’s been getting and has immediately stopped both the pain reliever and the antibiotic. He’ll only administer the vitamins today and an IV to keep her hydrated. I’m feeling lost and helpless because I can’t do anything for my dog and the vet hasn’t even given me anything definite yet… As I said before I don’t have the option of a second opinion as he’s the only vet in town but I feel really bad for her I wish the vet would find out already what it is even if it’s extremely bad I just want to know… so that I can prepare her and me as well I don’t know what I’ll do without her and I will miss her so bad if something happens to her but I also hate seeing her suffer. As a pet parent you always know there’ll come a time when you’ll have to say goodbye but I think we all imagine that time will come when our baby is old and she/he will go peacefully in their sleep or their bodies will naturally shut down because of old age but not like this… This is what’s killing me the most knowing this could be it for her and I spend her last few moments scrabbling around trying to cure maybe something incurable instead of being by her side…

  4. Zoi Lytou

    Just an update because I know how worrying it can be when someone post something worrisome about their dog and never give an update on what happened. Also this might also be used for someone one day to understand the symptoms quick and help their dog. I haven’t replied as I’ve been really busy trying to take care of my dog. We ended up redoing her blood work and taking an X-ray fearing a foreign body that might have obstructed her stomach or intestines and found out she had pyometra she was immediately admitted for surgery and was essentially sprayed, the vet informed us that there was another option if we wanted her to have puppies but I didn’t wanna risk anything and just agreed to her being operated on. She’s now home with us and recovering. Thank you for your reply though!

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Vivienne Barnes | 7 years ago
My Seven Year Old %$$!er Spaniel Has Problems Getting Up And Down On The Seat…

my seven year old %$$!er spaniel has problems getting up and down on the seat. She also seemed to lose a little power in her hind legs and didnt want to go for a walk today. Paying a lot of attention to her front paws.

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  1. Jana

    Naturally, please see a vet to find out what is going on and how to address it.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
I Got A Puppy From The Shelter Two Days Ago And I Noticed He Has…

I got a puppy from the shelter two days ago and I noticed he has worms what do I do

2 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    Take him to the vet – you should take him in by today, anyway. Take a fresh stool sample with you and they’ll be able to give you the right meds for the specific worms your puppy has.

  2. Sarah

    Since you’ve just gotten your puppy, I’m trusting that you’ll be scheduling, if you haven’t already, his first few visits to the vet for shots and such. Your vet will be able to provide a wealth of guidance and help with all sorts of things, including the worms situation. They may also to help you sign up for puppy socialization classes and basic training, which are always fantastic to do. Congrats on your new furry family member!!

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carolyn zeller | 7 years ago
I Think Our Dog Tore One Of Her Nails Out On Her Back Foot. …

I think our dog tore one of her nails out on her back foot. what can I do? She is not real happy about me trying to mess with it.

1 Response

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  1. Sarah

    You should make an appointment with your vet to make sure there is no infection.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My Puppy Got A Bloat As He Ate Today But Is Sleeping And Shows No…

My puppy got a bloat as he ate today but is sleeping and shows no sign of pain ! What to do ? Is it major or will go on its own ?

2 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    I would never treat bloat as a normal issue – if this is true bloat, the dog would be pacing and obviously uncomfortable.

    I would plan to get your puppy to the vet today, to be sure nothing’s wrong.

  2. Sandra Sellers

    I’d have to know exactly why you think they were bloated as that would come with a lot of signs and distress. Sometimes when puppies lay down on their sides, especially on a full stomach, their belly can look bigger but that doesn’t mean they are bloated. If you are truly concerned a trip to the vet is always the best response.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
My Dog Just Recently Been Limping And I Dont Know Why My Dog Is A Chihuahua…

my dog just recently been limping and i dont know why

My dog is a chihuahua and she is only 2 years old. Just happened when i got home from work and i dont know why shes limping.

1 Response

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  1. Anonymous

    I would keep her on crate rest for 24 hours and see if she improves. This means she only goes out for toilet while on leash, and she stays in her crate otherwise. This will make it easier to determine if it’ll improve on its own or if she needs vet intervention.

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Pawbly | 7 years ago
Hi Can U Please Tell Me How Many Times Should I Feed My 14 Days Labrador…

Hi
Can u please tell me how many times should I feed my 14 days Labrador puppy?

2 Responses

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  1. Anonymous

    Your infant puppy should be feeding off its mother right now. Is there a reason this isn’t a possibility?

  2. Sarah

    the best feeding for an infant puppy (or any animal for that matter) is from its mother. If that isn’t a possibility, then I would contact my vet- you’ll find that between routine vaccinations and check ups that you will be at the vets office quite a bit over the next year with your new friend? Your veterinarian will be able to guide you through everything you will need to know and more. Very best of luck!

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Terri S | 7 years ago
Hi Dr. Magnifico. You Are Our Vet To Our Indoor Cats. Last Week, We Brought…

Hi Dr. Magnifico. You are our vet to our indoor cats. Last week, we brought in a feral cat that was roaming our neighborhood. Turns out, he is pretty friendly, allows petting and belly rubs. On Monday June 19th, I took him to Animal Rescue, Inc., to be neutered, a rabies shot, and flea control. They also checked for a microchip (none), and I paid to have blood work done to have him tested for feline leukemia. Unfortunately, he tested positive for FIV. I would like to find him a home. I have two questions. Do you know anyone willing to give a home to a big orange friendly male tabby cat, or is there anything you can do to help? Maybe doing a courtesy post on your facebook page? I asked Animal Rescue and was told to put him back outside since he is now neutered. I was shocked they said that, as he could infect other ferals. We are currently keeping him in our basement and I just noticed a tapeworm coming out of his anus. My second question is, can you prescribe a tapeworm medication, without me having to bring him in, since he is FIV feral, and just went thru so much at Animal Rescue? My husband can pick it up after work. If not, can you recommend an over the counter medication to treat tapeworms? I am hoping whatever it is, that it will be something easy to give, maybe something I can put in his food that is tasteless. Thank you. Terri

1 Response

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  1. Shiria

    Hello,

    When our animal shelter takes in feral cats that turn out to be FIV positive we still let them back to their usual place, if they are truly feral and otherwise healthy. Nothing would be worse for them than to be contained for the rest of their live, always stressed out and afraid.
    However if they turn out to be friendly, like yours and like to be touched etc. we try to find a new home – however still with the option to go outside, if they turn out to be not lucky inside.
    Before doing so of course they will be treated against fleas, worms, get their cat flu shots, get neutered etc.

    Of course they risk to contract FIV to other cats, but for neutered cats it’s lower, as they don’t get into fights that much and don’t mate.

    It’s worse for leukemia. Of the last colony we trapped, most were tested positive for leukemia and they looked like it. They had a (very) bad health status and were put down, as they were completely feral.

    I can’t recommend a medication for worms however, as the products will most likely be different from where you live and I’m no vet anyway.

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Christie | 7 years ago
My Dog Has Not Had A Bowel Movement In 4 Days . Is There A…

My dog has not had a bowel movement in 4 days . Is there a home remedy I can try ?

3 Responses

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  1. Sarah

    I would let my vet know and see what they recommend. I know that one time one of our dogs was on a medication that bound him up and it was recommended that we feed him pumpkin. I don’t know if this particular situation warrants that or not, but your vet would probably be able to discuss this with you. Good luck!

  2. Krista Magnifico

    I would be very afraid that the lack of output is related to a lack of input. That’s what I most commonly see. A dog who is not eating well or at all. The only thing I can safely recommend is to see your vet for an exam so they can assess whether this is an obstruction, constipation, anorexia, etc. until you know why your dog isn’t defecating I would not try anything at home. Please see your vet as quickly as possible. Either tonight or by morning. Good luck

  3. Shiria

    I agree to Krista. Bring your dog to a vet. While there are home remedies you should look for the cause first.
    Examples:
    – If your dog ha snot eaten (enough), there can be no output – what are the reasons why he doesn’t eat?
    – The dog has eaten enough, the cause could be slow bowel movements or even a blockage. Forcing something through that blockage could kill your dog.